lightweight dunnage platform

ABSTRACT

A dunnage platform adapted to support a load for transport comprises a deck including a top surface, a bottom surface and an edge extending therebetween and a pair of legs, each of the legs including at least one foot extending from the leg. The bottom surface of the deck includes at least one stub for each of the legs, the at least one stub positioning the leg along the bottom surface. The at least one foot of each leg is hollow to receive the at least one stub. When the pair of legs is positioned along the deck, the dunnage platform is elevated by the at least one foot extending from the each said leg of the pair of legs.

PRIORITY CLAIM

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 12/569,655 entitled “LIGHT WEIGHT, STRONG, FIRE RETARDANTDUNNAGE PLATFORM BAG AND SYSTEM OF LOADING, DISPENSING AND USING BAG,”inventor Seagle, filed Sep. 29, 2009, which is a continuation of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 11/675,049 entitled “LIGHT WEIGHT, STRONG,FIRE RETARDANT DUNNAGE PLATFORM BAG AND SYSTEM OF LOADING, DISPENSINGAND USING BAG,” inventors Seagle et al., filed Feb. 14, 2007, now U.S.Pat. No. 7,689,481, issued on Mar. 30, 2010, which claims the benefit ofpriority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationsNos. 60/773,454 entitled “LIGHT WEIGHT, STRONG, FIRE RETARDANT DUNNAGEPLATFORM BAG AND SYSTEM OF LOADING, DISPENSING AND USING BAG,” inventorsSeagle, et al., filed Feb. 15, 2006; Application No. 60/817,868 entitled“FREIGHT FORWARDING SYSTEM,” inventors Seagle, et al., filed Jun. 30,2006; and Application No. 60/817,989 entitled “SYSTEM FOR RETAINING LEGSON A LIGHT WEIGHT THERMOPLASTIC DUNNAGE PLATFORM AND INSTALLING MOLDEDLEGS ON A DUNNAGE PLATFORM DECK,” inventor Vance L. Seagle, filed Jun.30, 2006. These applications are herein expressly incorporated byreference in their entireties.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is related to the following application:

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/672,863, entitled “MODULAR,KNOCK-DOWN, LIGHT WEIGHT, THERMALLY INSULATING, TAMPER PROOF SHIPPINGCONTAINER AND FIRE RETARDANT SHIPPING BAG,” inventors Seagle, et al.,filed Feb. 8, 2007, which application is herein expressly incorporatedby reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention is in the general field of a modified dunnage platformassembled from a dunnage platform base and legs attached to the base.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The adoption of International Standardized Phytosanitary Monitoring(ISPM)-15 for wood packaging material (WPM) requires kiln dry treatmentof all wood used in shipping crates and dunnage platforms (pallets). TheUnited States in cooperation with Mexico and Canada began enforcement ofthe ISPM 15 standard on Sep. 16, 2005. The North American PlantProtection Organization (NAPPO) strategy for enhanced enforcement willbe conducted in three phases. Phase 1, Sep. 16, 2005 through Jan. 31,2006, call for the implementation of an informed compliance via accountmanagers and notices posted in connection with cargo that containsnoncompliant WPM. Phase 2, Feb. 1, 2006 through Jul. 4, 2006, calls forrejection of violative crates and pallets through re-exportation fromNorth America. Informed compliance via account managers and noticesposted in cargo with other types of non-compliant WPM continues toremain enforce. Phase 3, Jul. 5, 2006, involves full enforcement on allarticles of regulated WPM entering North America. Non-compliantregulated WPM will not be allowed to enter the United States. Theadoption of ISPM-15 reflects the growing concern among nations aboutwood shipping products enabling the importation of wood-boring insects,including the Asian Long horned Beetle, the Asian Cerambycid Beetle, thePine Wood Nematode, the Pine Wilt Nematode and the AnoplophoraGlapripwnnis.

Thus the wooden dunnage platform has become unattractive for theinternational shipment of products. Further, the wooden surface is notsanitary since it potentially can harbor in addition to insects, mouldand bacteria. Thus, the wooden crate is generally ill-suited for theshipment of foodstuffs and other produce requiring sanitary conditions.

Plastic dunnage platforms or pallets are known, see U.S. Pat. No.3,915,089 to Nania, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,216,608 to Woods et al., whichare herein incorporated by reference in their entirety. Plastic palletmanufacturing techniques typically involve injection molding, whichsignificantly increases the cost of the plastic pallets. In order tojustify this initial investment cost of the plastic pallet, the palletmust be extensively re-used. Thus, while the plastic surface of theplastic pallet obviates some of the sanitary problems with wood pallets,because of the required repetitive use the surface can becomeunsanitary. As a consequence when used for the shipment of foodstuffsand other produce requiring sanitary conditions, the high cost of theplastic pallet requires that the plastic surface be cleaned and keptclean prior to use.

Some wood pallet manufacturers have attempted to produce a more sanitarysurface by combining foam with wooden surfaces. These dunnage platformsstill suffer a number of disadvantages including their weight, thepresence of wood requiring kiln treatment and the possibility of thefoam being stripped away to expose the wood surface.

Thermoplastic molded dunnage platforms are known. U.S. Pat. No.5,833,796 to Dummett, which is herein incorporated by reference in itsentirety, which discloses applying thermoplastic sheets to a preformedrigid structure for manufacturing dunnage platforms.

Irrespective of the material used to make the dunnage platform sanitary,there remains a problem in the field of keeping sanitary dunnageplatforms clean while they are being stored or otherwise not in use.

Optiledge™ feet are lightweight, strong, phytosanitary, molded feet inan L-shape designed to attach to the bottom of a crate or shipping unitand which can act as a transport device. Optiledge™ can in somecircumstances be used as an alternative to a wood pallet for loading andshipping units. When the product to be shipped contains a deck,Optiledge™ can be made integral to the packaged product and can act as apallet during the storage and distribution of the packaged product.Optiledge™ or any similar device is not appropriate when the unit loaddoes not include a deck surface onto which the Optiledge™ type devicecan be mounted.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment of the invention, a dunnage platform with damaged feetis modified such that the feet can be removed and replacement feet canbe attached. In an embodiment of the present invention, the damaged feetof a dunnage platform can be removed and Optiledge™ feet can be attachedto the dunnage platform deck. In another embodiment of the invention, adunnage platform deck with stubs is manufactured and molded feet arepress fitted into the stubs or otherwise attached to the dunnageplatform deck. In various embodiments of the invention, the modifieddunnage platforms can be loaded into the dunnage platform bag.

This summary is not intended to be a complete description of, or limitthe scope of, the invention. Other embodiments of methods formanufacturing a dunnage platform and repairing the legs of damageddunnage platforms, within the spirit and scope of the invention, can beunderstood by a person having ordinary skill in the art. Alternative andadditional features, aspects, and objects of the invention can beobtained from a review of the specification, the figures, and theclaims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 shows a pair of inverted Optiledge™ high density polyethylenelegs suitable for attachment onto a thermoplastic dunnage platform deck;

FIG. 2 shows the bottom side of a thermoplastic dunnage platform deckwith stub-leg inserts attached;

FIG. 3 shows a side view of the Optiledge™ high density polyethylenelegs attached to a thermoplastic dunnage platform deck;

FIG. 4 shows the edge of the Optiledge™ high density polyethylene legsabutting the edge of the thermoplastic dunnage platform deck; and

FIG. 5 shows a frontal view of the Optiledge™ high-density polyethylenelegs attached to a thermoplastic dunnage platform deck.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In an embodiment of the present invention, the damaged feet of a dunnageplatform can be removed and molded feet can be attached to the leglessdunnage platform deck. Optiledge™ feet have been designed to be integralwith the deck of cargo and then the deck, cargo and Optiledge™ feet canbe strapped together. FIG. 1 shows a pair of Optiledge™ feet 120, 130.When a dunnage platform is damaged, all the feet can be removed using aband saw or other suitable cutting device to remove the damaged feetthereby generating a thermoplastic dunnage platform deck. In anembodiment of the present invention, leg stubs can be attached to thethermoplastic dunnage platform deck. The leg stubs in the dunnageplatform base can be generated by cutting up damaged thermoplasticdunnage platforms. In an alternative embodiment, the leg stubs can beaffixed to the thermoplastic dunnage platform deck using molding. Theleg stubs can also be attached using other means of adhering oraffixing. Once affixed to the thermoplastic dunnage platform deck 102the leg stubs 106, 107, 108 appear as shown in FIG. 2. The leg stubs106, 107, 108 can be used to locate a lightweight, strong,phytosanitary, molded feet in an L-shape designed to attach to thebottom of a deck 102. In an embodiment of the present invention the legstubs 106, 107, 108 can be used to attach to Optiledge™ feet 120, 130.By applying suitable force the molded (Optiledge™) feet 120, 130 can bepress fitted into the leg stubs 106, 107, 108. Once affixed thethermoplastic dunnage platform deck 100 appears as shown in FIGS. 3-5.Shown in FIG. 4, the L shaped section 124, 134 of the Optiledge™ feet120, 130 is abutting the edge 104 of the thermoplastic dunnage platformdeck 102. In FIGS. 1 and 4 the ‘L’ shaped molded feet 120, 130 can bemade up of a first and a second member 122, 124, 132, 134, which can bejoined to form the ‘L’ shape. The hollow feet 126, 127, 128, 136, 137,138 extend from one of the first or second members 120, 130. The hollowfeet 126, 127, 128, 136, 137, 138 can be press fitted into the leg stubs106, 107, 108 shown in FIG. 2.

Alternatively, a third leg can be added in between the two molded feetto provide additional support for the thermoplastic dunnage platformdeck and cargo. By using molded feet without the L shaped retainer (orby removing the L-shaped section of the Optiledge™ feet), the moldedfeet can be applied to a flat surface. By affixing leg stubs in thecenter of the thermoplastic dunnage platform deck, and placing leg stubsin the center position an additional set of legs can be placed at anyposition under the deck.

In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, a thermoplasticdunnage platform with one or more damaged feet can be modified such thatone or more of the damaged feet can be removed and one or morereplacement feet can be attached in the location of the removed feet.

In an embodiment of the present invention, thermoplastic dunnageplatforms in which the feet have been damaged can be collected at apoint of destination shipping location. The feet of the thermoplasticdunnage platforms can be removed and the thermoplastic dunnage platformsdecks can be stored in a flame retardant bag. Once the bag is filled thebag with the thermoplastic dunnage platforms decks can be shipped to adesired point of origin shipping location. Separately, or togethermolded feet can be shipped to the same location. Alternatively, thedamaged thermoplastic dunnage platforms can be shipped to a desiredpoint of origin shipping location and the legs can be removed at thislocation. Also at this location, one or more stub feet can be affixed tothe thermoplastic dunnage platform deck and the molded feet can beaffixed by press fitting into the stub legs. Alternative means ofassembling molded feet onto the thermoplastic dunnage platform deck canbe envisaged by one of ordinary skill in the art. Cargo can then beloaded on the assembled thermoplastic dunnage platforms with moldedfeet, strapped and shipped to the desired location.

In one embodiment of the invention, a shipping container bag isdisclosed that is light weight, strong, made of a fire retardantmaterial and which forms an ultra violet (UV) light reflective,weather-proof and dust particle barrier to protect the integrity of theshipping container. The expression ‘UV light reflective’ indicates thatno more than 2% of either UV-A, UV-B or UV-C light is transmittedthrough the bag material. The term ‘weather-proof’ indicates that thebag is substantially impenetrable to water, in as much as less than 5%of 2.5 mm (1 inch) of rainfall at or below Beaufort scale 4 wind willaccumulate within the bag in the form of moisture or residue at anambient temperature of 25° C. (77° F.) and humidity of less than 80%.The shipping container bag can be used to store the shipping container,when not in use. The shipping container bag can be used to enclose theshipping container. The shipping container bag can be used to storetransport and/or dispense one or more shipping containers.Alternatively, the shipping container bag can be used to store transportand/or dispense one or more knocked down shipping containers. It isunderstood that a person having ordinary skill in the art can tailor thedimensions of the shipping container bag to suit the number of shippingcontainer bags to be stored and/or the configuration, knocked-down orassembled, of the containers to be stored.

In one embodiment of the invention, the bag is made of one or morematerials selected from the group consisting of Low Density Polyethylene(LDPE), High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) and polypropylene (PP). Inanother embodiment of the invention, the bag is made of flame retardantmaterial. In an embodiment of the invention, the bag is made frompolyethylene, aromatic bromine and antimony trioxide. In one embodimentof the invention, the bag is made of one or more of the followingmaterials: LDPE, HDPE and PP and treated with ARX 501 FR 05 LD. In anembodiment of the invention, the bag meets standards DIN 4102 B2, DIN4102 B1 and CEE. In a further embodiment of the invention, the bromineadditive is heat stable up to 350 ° C.

In various embodiments of the invention, the shipping container base,top panel and walls are made of a polymer core covered with athermoplastic sheet. In various embodiments of the invention, thepolymer core and thermoplastic sheet can be chemically combined. In oneembodiment of the invention, the shipping container base, top panel andwalls are made of an Expandable Polystyrene (PSE) core chemicallycombined with High Impact Polystyrene sheets (HIPS). Because of achemical combination of components, comparing the core before thechemical combination to the shipping container material that is formed,there is an increase in strength to weight ratio of as much as 1000:1when using PSE chemically combined with HIPS.

In various alternative embodiments of the invention, the core materialcan be a blend of polyphenylene ether (PPE) and polystyrene (PS)impregnated with pentane, a blend of polyyphenyene ether (PPE) andpolystyrene (PS) impregnated with pentane or polyethylene (PE) andPolypropylene.

In various alternative embodiments of the invention, the thermoplasticsheets used to cover the core can be either polypropylene/polypropylenecomposite, Polycarbonate (PC), Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE), HighDensity Polyethylene (HDPE), Polypropylene (PP), Acrylonitrile ButadieneStyrene (ABS) and Polyphony Ether alloyed with High Impact Polystyrene.Many of these thermoplastic sheets have desirable properties when theshipping container design requires a living hinge or other flexibleproperties.

In one embodiment, a compressible core member is introduced andsandwiched between a first heated thermoplastic sheet. Subsequently, thereverse side of the core member is sandwiched between a second heatedthermoplastic sheet. The join between the two thermoplastic sheetsurfaces can then be cut and welded to seal the outer surface of thelight weight shipping container material. By welding the join betweenthe two thermoplastic sheets the resulting product can be sealed so asto prohibit the collection of organic matter and thereby inhibit thegrowth of bacteria, mold and parasites. In an alternative embodiment,the first sheet is applied to the first surface of the core and thenwhen the second sheet is to be applied, the edge of the first sheet isheated to allow the second sheet to be applied to the second surface ofthe core and at the same time welded to the first sheet applied to theedges of the core.

In another embodiment, a compressible core member is stacked orsandwiched between two heated thermoplastic sheets. The sandwich iscompressed and corresponding portions of the two sheets contact oneanother and bond together. The core member bonds to the interior surfaceof the thermoplastic shell as the core member tries to expand andcontacts portions of the other thermoplastic sheet.

In another embodiment of the invention, a Radio Frequency IDentification(RFID) tag is imbedded in one or more of: the spreader, the transporterbase frame, the dispenser base, the reloading base and the material ofthe four walls. In one embodiment of the invention, the RFID tagoperates using an Ultra High Frequency (UHF) signal. In anotherembodiment of the invention, the RFID tag operates using a microwavefrequency signal.

In an embodiment of the present invention, a RFID tags can be insertedinto the exposed polystyrene core after the damaged legs have beenremoved and prior to affixing the stub legs. In an embodiment of thepresent invention, a RFID reader mounted in the bag used to collect thethermoplastic dunnage platform decks can then read the RFID tags in theindividual dunnage platforms. In an embodiment of the invention, theRFID reader in the bag and the RFID tag in the thermoplastic dunnageplatform decks can be positioned so that the RFID tag antenna is leastaffected by any conducting material in the dunnage platform legs ordunnage platform bag.

In one embodiment, the RFID tag is centered in the middle of thespreader, the transporter base, the dispenser base, the reloading baseand the material of the four walls. In another embodiment, the RFID tagis placed on the edge of the spreader, the transporter base, thedispenser base, the reloading base and the material of the four walls.In an embodiment of the invention, the RFID tag can be positioned sothat the RFID tag antenna is least affected by the metal in the dunnageplatform bag and base.

In one embodiment the RFID tag is read only. In another embodiment, theRFID tag contains an Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory(EPROM), which enables both read and write functions. In an embodimentof the invention, the RFID tag is passive. In another embodiment of theinvention, the RFID tag is semi passive containing a source of energysuch as a battery to allow the tag to be constantly powered. In afurther embodiment of the invention, the RFID tag is active, containingan internal power source, such as a battery, which is used to power anyIntegrated Circuits (ICs) in the tag and generate the outgoing signal.In another embodiment, the tag has the ability to enable locationsensing through a photo sensor.

In an embodiment of the invention, the cargo and each dunnage platformcontain a passive RFID tag and each dunnage platform bag contains anactive RFID tag and RFID tag reader. Each dunnage platform bag is ableto monitor the cargo and the dunnage platforms loaded in the dunnageplatform bag. In a shipment, one or more master dunnage platform bagcontains an RFID tag reader which is able to monitor all the otherdunnage platform bags in the vicinity of the master dunnage platformbag. The master dunnage platform is then able to relay the position andcondition of the entire shipment to a base station.

In one embodiment of the invention, means of communication with a basestation is imbedded in the dunnage platform bag in one or more of thespreader, the transporter base, the dispenser base, the reloading baseand the material of the four walls. In an alternative embodiment of theinvention, one or more dunnage platforms loaded in the dunnage platformbag contain the apparatus to communicate with the base station in orderto relay the condition and global position of the cargo.

In one embodiment of the invention, the communication means utilizes oneor more of a wireless local area network; a wireless wide area network;a cellular network; a satellite network; a Wi-Fi network; and a pagernetwork. In one embodiment of the invention, the device embedded is amodem capable of communicating with one or more of the aforementionednetworks. In the following discussion the term ‘cellular modem’ will beused to describe the device embedded. The term ‘cellular modem’ will beherein used to identify any device of comparable size capable ofcommunicating over one or more of the aforementioned networks. In oneembodiment of the invention, the cellular modem can be a Code DivisionMultiple Access (CDMA) modem. In an embodiment of the invention, a RFIDreader and associate integrated circuit processor can be embeddedtogether with the cellular modem in the spreader, the transporter base,the dispenser base, the reloading base and the material of the fourwalls. In such an embodiment, the RFID tags and RFID reader can bepositioned to optimize the RFID read of the RFID tags from the othersurfaces, which make up the dunnage platform bag.

In an embodiment of the invention, where a RFID reader and a cellularmodem can be embedded in one or more of the spreader, the transporterbase, the dispenser base, the reloading base and the material of thefour walls; the RFID reader is in communication with one or more RFIDreaders, associated cellular modems and the RFID tags of one or moredunnage platform bags in the vicinity of the RFID reader. Throughcommunications with the RFID reader and associated integrated circuitprocessor of the plurality of dunnage platform bags in the vicinity, aRFID reader and associated integrated circuit processor is able todistinguish the RFID tag from dunnage platforms loaded in the bag anddunnage platforms loaded in dunnage platform bags in the vicinity basedon one or more of location, strength of signal, variation of RFID tagsignal with position in the dunnage platform bag relative to the reader,variation of RFID tag signal with time and prior input data. In anembodiment of the invention, one or more antenna inserted into thematerial of the bag can be used to help discriminate the location of thedunnage platforms loaded in a dunnage platform bag. In an embodiment ofthe invention, the RFID reader and associate processor can be incommunication with the embedded cellular modem. In an embodiment of theinvention, the cellular modem is in communication with a base stationand can transmit one or more parameters selected from the groupconsisting of one or more RFID tag location, one or more RFID tagidentification code, number of dunnage platforms loaded in the bag,dunnage platform bag information, previous shipment information, dunnageplatform condition, dunnage platform bag condition and time stamp.

In one embodiment of the invention the RFID code uses the IEEE formatand is Electronic Product Code (EPC) readable. In another embodiment ofthe invention the RFID code uses the UCC format and is Universal ProductCode (UPC) readable. In another embodiment, the format is compatible forEPC, European Article Number (EAN) and UPC read and write functions.

Various embodiments can be implemented using a conventional generalpurpose or specialized digital computer(s) and/or processor(s)programmed according to the teachings of the present disclosure, as willbe apparent to those skilled in the computer art. Appropriate softwarecoding can readily be prepared by skilled programmers based on theteachings of the present disclosure, as will be apparent to thoseskilled in the software art. The invention can also be implemented bythe preparation of integrated circuits and/or by interconnecting anappropriate network of component circuits, as will be readily apparentto those skilled in the art.

Various embodiments include a computer program product which is astorage medium (media) having instructions and/or information storedthereon/in which can be used to program a general purpose or specializedcomputing processor(s)/device(s) to perform any of the featurespresented herein. The storage medium can include, but is not limited to,one or more of the following: any type of physical media includingfloppy disks, optical discs, DVDs, CD-ROMs, micro drives,magneto-optical disks, holographic storage devices, ROMs, RAMs, EPROMs,EEPROMs, DRAMs, PRAMS, VRAMs, flash memory devices, magnetic or opticalcards, nano-systems (including molecular memory ICs); paper orpaper-based media; and any type of media or device suitable for storinginstructions and/or information. Various embodiments include a computerprogram product that can be transmitted in whole or in parts and overone or more public and/or private networks wherein the transmissionincludes instructions and/or information, which can be used by one ormore processors to perform any of the features, presented herein. Invarious embodiments, the transmission can include a plurality ofseparate transmissions.

Stored on one or more of the computer readable medium (media), thepresent disclosure includes software for controlling both the hardwareof general purpose/specialized computer(s) and/or processor(s), and forenabling the computer(s) and/or processor(s) to interact with a humanuser or other mechanism utilizing the results of the present invention.Such software can include, but is not limited to, device drivers,operating systems, execution environments/containers, user interfacesand applications.

The execution of code can be direct or indirect. The code can includecompiled, interpreted and other types of languages. Unless otherwiselimited by claim language, the execution and/or transmission of codeand/or code segments for a function can include invocations or calls toother software or devices, local or remote, to do the function. Theinvocations or calls can include invocations or calls to librarymodules, device drivers and remote software to do the function. Theinvocations or calls can include invocations or calls in distributed andclient/server systems.

1. A dunnage platform adapted to support a load for transportcomprising: a deck including a top surface, a bottom surface and an edgeextending therebetween; a pair of legs, each of the legs including atleast one foot extending from the leg; wherein the bottom surface of thedeck includes at least one stub for each of the legs, the at least onestub positioning the leg along the bottom surface; wherein when the pairof legs is positioned along the deck, the dunnage platform is elevatedby the at least one foot extending from the each said leg of the pair oflegs; and wherein the at least one foot of each leg is hollow to receivethe at least one stub.
 2. The dunnage platform of claim 1, wherein eachof the legs is “L”-shaped and includes a first member that abuts thebottom surface and from which the at least one foot extends and a secondmember that abuts the edge.
 3. The dunnage platform of claim 2, whereinthe second member extends above the top surface of the deck.
 4. Thedunnage platform of claim 2, wherein each leg of the pair of legs ispositioned at opposite intersections of the edge and the bottom surface.5. The dunnage platform of claim 4, further comprising: a third legarranged between the pair of legs, the third leg having a flat shape andincluding at least one foot extending from the third leg; wherein the atleast one foot that extends from the third leg is hollow; and whereinthe bottom surface of the deck includes at least one stub that isreceived by the at least the one hollow foot of the third leg.
 6. Thedunnage platform of claim 1, wherein, the at least one stub is press fitinto the foot of each of the pair of legs.
 7. The dunnage platform ofclaim 1, wherein the at least one stub for each of the legs is aregistration feature and is located to guide each said leg of the pairof legs into a position along the bottom surface.
 8. The dunnageplatform of claim 1, wherein each of the legs includes two or more feetextending from the leg, the two or more feet being spaced and having asufficient height and adapted to accommodate prongs of a forklift beingpositioned to apply a lifting force to the bottom surface of the deck.9. The dunnage platform of claim 1, wherein the pair of legs areremovable from the deck.
 10. The dunnage platform of claim 1, whereinthe at least one stub is integrally formed with the deck.
 11. Thedunnage platform of claim 1, wherein the at least one stub is separatelyformed from the deck and secured to the bottom surface of the deck. 12.The dunnage platform of claim 1, wherein: each leg of the pair of legsincludes three hollow feet spaced along the respective leg; the pair oflegs mirror each other; and the at least one stub for each of the legsis inserted within at least one of the hollow feet to position each ofthe pairs of legs on the bottom surface.
 13. The dunnage platform ofclaim 1, wherein: each said foot of each said leg of the pair of legs ishollow; the pair of legs mirror each other; and each said stub isinserted within the respective hollow foot to position each said leg ofthe pair of legs on the bottom surface.
 14. A reusable system adapted totransport cargo comprising: a dunnage platform adapted to support a loadto be transported including a deck and a pair of legs; wherein the deckhas a top surface, a bottom surface and an edge extending therebetween,and the bottom surface includes at least one stub to position each ofthe legs; wherein the pair of legs each includes at least one hollowfoot extending from the respective leg; wherein the at least one hollowfoot of each leg can receive at least one said stub; and a storagestructure; and wherein the pair of legs is disconnected from the deckand the deck is placed in the storage structure when the dunnageplatform is prepared for delivery to a location for reuse.
 15. Thesystem of claim 14, wherein the storage structure is a dunnage platformbag; and wherein the dunnage platform bag is capable of receiving aplurality of dunnage platforms.
 16. The system of claim 14, wherein thestorage structure is a shipping container; and wherein the shippingcontainer is capable of receiving a plurality of dunnage platforms. 17.A dunnage platform adapted to support a load for transport comprising: adeck including a top surface, a bottom surface and an edge extendingtherebetween; a pair of legs, wherein each said leg of the pair of legsincluding at least one hollow foot extending from the leg; wherein thebottom surface of the deck includes a stub for each of the hollow feet,the stub being positioned within a corresponding foot; and wherein whenthe pair of legs is positioned along the deck, the dunnage platform iselevated by the feet of the pair of legs.
 18. A dunnage platform adaptedto support a load for transport comprising: a deck including a topsurface, a bottom surface and an edge extending therebetween; a pair oflegs, each of the legs being L-shaped with a first surface contactingthe bottom surface of the deck and a second surface contacting the edgeof the deck, each said leg of the pair of legs further including threehollow feet spaced along and extending from the first surface of theleg; wherein the bottom surface of the deck includes a stub for each ofthe hollow feet, each said stub being positioned within a correspondingfoot; and wherein when the pair of legs is positioned along the deck,the dunnage platform is elevated by the feet of the pair of legs.
 19. Adunnage platform adapted to support a load for transport comprising: adeck including a top surface, a bottom surface and an edge extendingtherebetween; a pair of legs connectable with the deck, each of the legsbeing L-shaped with a first surface contacting the bottom surface of thedeck and a second surface contacting the edge of the deck, each of thelegs further including three feet spaced along and extending from thefirst surface of the leg; and wherein when the pair of legs is connectedwith the deck, the dunnage platform is elevated by the feet of the pairof legs.
 20. The dunnage platform of claim 19, wherein the secondsurface of each said leg of the pair of legs extends above the topsurface of the deck.